ALERT: Bridge work to close I-476 Sunday a.m.

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News Eagle - Hawley, PA

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Posted Feb. 1, 2013 at 5:27 PM

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Posted Feb. 1, 2013 at 5:27 PM

Hawley, Pa.

I-476 will be shut down for six hours Sunday between Mid-County and Lansdale.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that an 11-mile stretch of the Northeastern Extension (I-476) will be closed in both directions for six hours Feb. 3, between Mid-County (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31). The closure is necessary for the protection of motorists and workers during removal of steel girders from the bridge that carries Sumneytown Pike (State Route 63) over the Turnpike at milepost A30.6 in Towamencin Township, Montgomery County.

At 12:01 a.m. Feb. 3, southbound traffic will be diverted off at the Lansdale Interchange. At the same time, northbound access to the Northeastern Extension from Mid County will be prohibited. Motorists wishing to travel north from the Mid-County Interchange or the east/west Turnpike mainline will be directed to exit I-276 at the Fort Washington Interchange to return to I-476 at Lansdale. The Northeastern Extension will reopen to one lane in each direction to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday.

Prior to the shut-down, motorists should be prepared for the left lane to be closed southbound at 8 p.m. and northbound at 9 p.m. Feb. 2, between milepost A28-A32. The speed limit will be posted at 40 mph until the single-lane patterns are lifted by 9 a.m. Sunday morning. Construction-zone speed limits are enforceable and fines will be doubled.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Lansdale, Mid-County and Norristown interchanges to assist motorists. Motorists can tune to radio 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions or call the Turnpike Roadway Information line at 866.976.8747. Changeable message signs will also provide updated information regarding closures and detours. Motorists are encouraged to plan travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

DETOURS

* Traveling southbound on I-476 — Exit at Lansdale Interchange (#31). Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. At the second light, turn left onto Forty Foot Road (State Route 63-east). Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Welsh Road (State Route 63-east) to U.S. Route 309-south to reenter the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange. Travel east on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Philadelphia and New Jersey. Travel west on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Harrisburg and points west. Motorists bound for I-476 south (Blue Route) to I-76 and I-95 should also follow the Turnpike westbound from Fort Washington, exiting the Turnpike at the Mid-County (Exit #20) Interchange to continue southbound on I-476.

* Traveling northbound on I-476 (Blue Route) — From I-76 and I-95, continue northbound on the Northeastern Extension. All traffic will enter the Turnpike at the Mid-County Toll Plaza and continue eastbound on I-276 to the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339). Exit the Turnpike and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (State Route 63-west) and follow the signs to reenter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

Page 2 of 2 - * Traveling east or west on I-276 to travel north on the Northeastern Extension – All traffic will exit the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339) and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (State Route 63-west) and follow the signs to reenter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

For more information visit www.paturnpike.com/constructionprojects/mpA20toA31or call the project hotline at 1-877-855-2545. In case of inclement weather, the closure will be rescheduled for Feb. 9-10 with times and detours still applicable.

Travelers can get Turnpike traffic alerts by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747) or visiting the live Travel Conditions Map online at www.paturnpike.com/webmap. The Turnpike’s smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users so they can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.